THE POETS OF CATSTADA. 39 



That magazine never really rose beyond the tentative stage, but, even so, it served a most 

 riseful purpose by giving a voice to several of our young singers. We all remember the 

 writings of Fidelis, and all of us have been delighted at the felieitous conceptions of Mr. 

 Dixon of Ottawa and of the Eev. V. Mulvany. 



With all due respect, I cannot overlook the name of our distinguished colleague, Mr. 

 Greorge Murray. He is known throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion as a 

 ripe and refined scholar, and what may be strictly denominated the tyjie of a purely 

 literary man. Throwing a well-known lapidary compliment into the present tense, we 

 may truthfully say of him : Nihil quod tangit non oniat. Without dwelling on those other 

 services to Canadian literature with which his name has been associated for years, it were 

 empty praise to repeat that his verse is set in so perfect a mould that it becomes a fit sub- 

 ject of study and imitation. Unfortunately, his poems have not yet been collected in book- 

 form. But I hope I shall be guiltj^ of no indiscretion in saying, and I am sure the Royal 

 Society will be delighted to learn, that an eminent colleague has the material of a volume 

 ready, and has been persuaded by his friends and admirers to publish it within the not 

 distant future. When Charles Mair, the young poet from Perth, Ontario, put forth his 

 Dreamland and Other Poems in Montreal and London, I fancied I discovered in them 

 the germs of the Canadian Swinburne. There was a freedom and dash in the metre, an 

 effervescence in sentiment, and a bloom of imagination which gave promise of a golden 

 harvest, but unfortunately Charles Mair has abandoned his province and his Muse, and 

 has since devoted his entire mental energies to trade in the Northwest. 



Our dramatic compositions are unaccountably rare, with the exception of those of 

 Heavysege, which I cannot here notice. Chief among the others is Prince Pedro of Dr. .T. 

 H. Gamier, of Lucknow in the county of Bruce, which I have had previous occasion to 

 pronounce a performance of exceptional worth. The plot revolves on the terrible story of 

 Inez de Castro, which is one of the darkest pages of Portuguese history. The author has 

 the true dramatic instinct ; his intrigue is developed with ingenuity, the dialogue is in 

 perfect situation, the characters are sharply drawn, and the dénouement (can we not find an 

 English equivalent for that eccentric stage word) is a striking culmination. I venture to 

 pronounce Prince Pedro one of the best contributions to Canadian dramatic poetry, and 

 to recommend its more general perusal. I am given to understand that Dr. Grarnier has 

 other important poems in preparation. 



The first work of the well-known author, J. J. Procter, was published in Montreal in 

 1861. It was entitled Voices oj the Nig-ht. Although it appeared at a period of literary 

 depression, the vogue of the work was such as to inspire the author with the confidence 

 that he had struck the popular chord of feeling, and ever since his name has stood 

 honourably before the public. I am happy to inform the Society that, only a day or two 

 ago, I had the honour and pleasure of receiving an advance copy of a second volume from 

 the same pen, entitled Black Hawk and other Poems. The numerous pieces composing this 

 work are not of u.niform excellence, but their general character is such as to enhance the 

 reputation of the author! Mr. Procter is one of the recognized poets of Canada and his 

 claims cannot be overlooked. 



Few of our poets have the sweep and vigour of Samuel .Tames Watson, now, alas ! 

 gathered to his iiithers, whose single volume, containing the mellifluous Legend of the 

 Roses, and a drama of great power and force entitled Raolan, was published in 18*76. It at 



